Goethe A2 key terms

A short notice or advertisement in a newspaper, on a website, or on a board. In the reading exam you often match people's wishes to small ads such as flat offers or job notices.

A small, short advertisement, usually in a newspaper or online marketplace, offering or looking for something like a flat, a used bike, or a job. Often read to find a detail such as price or time.

A heading or section in a newspaper, magazine, or website that groups similar items, for example sport, culture, or jobs. Knowing which section a text belongs to helps you predict its content.

The title printed above a text. Reading it first gives you the topic and helps you decide quickly what the text is about before you read the details.

A small single piece of information, such as a time, a price, or a name. Many A2 reading tasks ask you to find one exact detail in a short text and ignore the rest.

The most important message of a text, stated in one sentence. A typical reading task asks whether a statement matches the main point of a short article, e-mail, or notice.

What a writer wants to achieve with a text, for example to inform, to invite, to apologise, or to complain. Recognising the intention helps you choose the right answer in reading tasks.

A personal view or judgement about something, not a fact. A2 reading texts often contain a short comment where someone says what they think about a film, a shop, or a course.

A word or idea that means the opposite of another, such as 'teuer' and 'billig'. Recognising opposites helps you understand contrast in a text even when you do not know every word.

A small word that shows the direction of a sentence, for example 'aber' for contrast, 'weil' for a reason, or 'deshalb' for a result. Finding it quickly helps you understand the logic of a text.

The reason given for something. In reading and writing at A2 you often need to connect an action with its cause using words like 'weil', 'denn', or 'deshalb'.

The act of getting in touch with someone, for example by phone, e-mail, or a contact form. Reading tasks often ask how you should respond to an advertisement or invitation.

A spoken announcement, for example at a train station, in an airport, or in a shop. In the listening exam you hear short announcements and must pick out one key piece of information.

A public announcement over a loudspeaker, often in stations, supermarkets, or museums. The speech is fast and has background noise, so listen for names, times, and platform numbers.

The number of the platform or track where a train departs. Announcements often give it together with a departure time, and a listening question may ask you to note it down.

A delay, when a train, bus, or flight leaves later than planned. Announcements often mention how many minutes late something is, and you must understand the new time.

The time of day, expressed either formally with 'Uhr' or informally, for example 'halb acht' for 7:30. Listening tasks often require you to understand times correctly and quickly.

An arranged appointment or date, for example at the doctor, at the hairdresser, or for a meeting. You often hear two possible times and must note which one is confirmed.

An arrangement to meet someone socially, for example for coffee or a cinema visit. Listening texts often contain a short dialogue where two people agree on a day, time, and place.

A statement that something will not happen, for example a cancelled appointment, a cancelled event, or a refusal of an invitation. You must hear clearly whether a plan is confirmed or cancelled.

A positive answer or confirmation, for example accepting an invitation or agreeing to a date. It is the opposite of a cancellation and is often tested together with it.

A piece of information passed on to someone, for example a voicemail, a text message, or a short report on the radio. Listening tasks often ask what the main message was.

A machine or service that records telephone messages. In listening tasks you hear a recorded message and must note who called, why, and what you should do next.

A phone call back to someone who tried to reach you. Recorded messages often ask for one, and a listening question may ask what action the listener should take.

An electronic written message sent over the internet. In the writing exam you often answer an e-mail, so you must understand its content and reply with a greeting, the requested information, and a closing.

The opening words that address the reader, for example 'Liebe Frau Weber' or 'Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren'. Choosing the right form depends on whether the situation is formal or informal.

The closing greeting at the end of a letter or e-mail, for example 'Viele Grüße' or 'Mit freundlichen Grüßen'. A correct closing is part of the expected structure in the writing task.

A statement saying sorry for something, for example for being absent or for cancelling. Writing tasks often ask you to apologise politely and give a short reason.

A polite request for something, such as help, information, or a favour. In writing tasks you often have to formulate one clearly, using words like 'Könnten Sie bitte ...?'

The act of registering for something, for example a course, a club, or a doctor's appointment. Writing tasks often require you to register and ask for confirmation or further details.

A short written or spoken message giving information, for example to a neighbour, a colleague, or a landlord. In the writing exam you may need to write one with a clear reason and a request.

The set of words a learner knows and can use. At A2 you need enough everyday vocabulary to write short texts about family, work, shopping, health, and free time.

Fixed phrases useful for a situation, for example 'Ich würde mich freuen, wenn ...' or 'Könnten Sie mir bitte sagen ...'. Learning them as whole blocks makes writing and speaking faster and more natural.

The way words are pronounced. In the speaking exam clear pronunciation matters more than speed, and practising word stress and long and short vowels helps listeners understand you.

The stress placed on a syllable or word. German often stresses the first syllable of a word, and correct stress makes your speech easier to follow in the speaking exam.

How fast someone speaks. In the speaking exam a calm, steady pace is better than rushing, because you have time to think and the examiner can follow your answers.

A short stop in speech. Natural pauses between sentences help you plan the next phrase and make your contribution sound clearer during the speaking test.

A question asked to check or clarify something, for example when you did not understand your partner. In the speaking exam it is useful to ask politely instead of staying silent.

A short talk about a topic, given alone. In the A2 speaking exam you present something about your everyday life, such as your home, your job, or a hobby, using simple connected sentences.

A single word or short note used as a memory aid instead of a full sentence. Preparing a few key words helps you speak freely during the presentation without reading a script.